Alaskan Grizzly

It’ll happen..don’t worry. One of my favorite things to say to my ‘friends’ who are Packers fans, and make it to the playoffs only to lose is; ‘Welcome to the offseason.’

What’s the money status or need at ILB? I’m guessing if anyone of the four; Trevathan, Smith, Kwit or KPL were to go it would be Danny (as much as I’d hate it). But is it unusual for a team that runs a 3-4 base D to keep four ILBs? I was watching a clip from Tom Thayer on KPLs play last week and the dude is incredibly instinctive. Makes real smart reads and reacts quickly. Reminds me of a slower version of Smith or younger version of Trevathan. I was a bit skeptical when they first signed him but these last few games he’s proved he belongs. PS: Just saw that he played Safety while in college. Hmmmm...converted Safety to LB? Where have we heard that before?

I take solace in knowing that GB won’t make the SB this year. They don’t have nearly as good a team as does SF, NO or SEA. Sure they have a great QB but as I said earlier this year, they are way too one dimensional because of it. Shut him down and they’re done. All the teams I listed previously should be able to do that. They barely beat the Redskins last week and a transitioning team in the Bears yesterday. There’s no staying power in that. My prediction will be a redux of Super Bowl XLVII (minus one of the Harbaughs).

Saw the pic from a post DaWindyCity put on YouTube. Seems to bolster your guys’ points on penalties. And an article below by a Lions based website. Who knew? https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/15/packers-are-first-in-nfl-lions-last-in-penalty-beneficiary-yards/amp/

Have to agree that Montgomery is more like Kamara was in his early years. Not quite ready to be the do-all back the Bears need...yet. Needs someone who can get tougher yards between the tackles like Ingram was before he left NO. Howard might be an FA next year???

Mitchell looking good today. That 4th down chuck to Miller was nearly a thing of beauty. First impressions for me is that things appear to be clicking for Mitch. And not for nothing but they need to pull Amukamara. His time is gone, Tolliver outplaying him.

And I stand corrected. Hicks is back! Thank gosh! and how about Mitch? Nice run, head down into Matinez... who is now out of the game.

Yeah, totally agree. Even Blandino said as much. You’re welcome GB. and... it looks as though Hicks is back to the bench ... for good. Elbow seems to be bothering him.

No international incidents. We don’t want to have to worry about you getting locked up in a Thai jail. Being superstitious, I’d prefer the Bears wear the retro away jerseys. So far they are 2-0 with them. But they are 3-1 in division play too so there is that.

Seems he was just starting to make a name for himself after catching what 2 TDs in successive games? On a team needing pass catching TEs you don’t think he’d want to stick around and prove his worth? Think it was Adam that brought this up a few times before but still Trevathan is not on IR(?)? His injury is as bad or similar to Hicks’. Are they keeping him on stand by in case they make the playoffs? Another note of interest; Amukamara is able to return. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. Think Tolliver held his own last game. Probably still going to need Safety help whomever they put there tomorrow.

Saw on the Chicago Bears website Robinson was the team’s selection to be a finalist of the Walter Payton - Man of the Year award. And he desires to remain in Chicago for the remainder of his career. Seems logical to me... I look forward to him being yet another Bear inducted into the Hall of Fame. https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/12/10/21004628/allen-robinson-chicago-bears-all-time-franchise-johnny-morris-walter-payton-nagy-ryan-pace-contract

Not that I would solely blame him for what's illed the offense, he certainly hasn't helped. Its been so bad for him this year that whenever the flag is thrown on the offense its due to him holding or jumping offisdes. Ever since they shuffled the o-line around the overall mess that was the o-line has gotten better...except him. Which is unfortunate, seems like last year he was doing pretty well and is a good kid. His days in Chicago may be numbered if this keeps up. It's times like this where Jason's insight on oline performance is missed.

As expected Roquan Smith was put on IR. Former Buc and former Sooner OLB Devonte Bond was signed to the team in his roster spot. Looks to be a speed rusher so maybe competition for Floyd during the offseason? With Smith out on IR, the defense has lost Trevathan, Amukamura and Hicks (to name key pieces) on the defensive side of the ball and their replacements; KPL, Tolliver and to some degree Nichols have all stepped up and played pretty darn well. That I think is a credit to Pagano and his ability to coach his side of the ball. And to be fair and not lost in all this is the sudden resurgence of the offense with credit thrown towards Nagy. On the offensive side they’ve lost Long, Gabriel, Burton and Shaheen and are finding gems in players like Wims, Ridley, Brauneker, Holtz and Horstead. And after reshuffling the line and recalibrating himself, found that he has a serviceable OLine and a potentially decent QB if he plays to their strengths.

'Devil's Advocate' here: So Mahomes did close out with: 26/40 for 283 with 1 TD and 1 INT for a rating of 83.6. This against the number one defense, in Foxborough. Trubisky ended up with: 23/31 for 244 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT for a rating of 115.5. This against the number #12 overall defense in Chicago. Trubisky did what he had to do against a team he (they) needed to beat, in the circumstances afforded him. As did Mahomes. Neither lost the game for their respective team. The guy who only a year ago was chosen as the NFL MVP after throwing 50 TD passes has less to prove than does the #2 overall pick from that same year.

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/07/chicago-bears-linebacker-khalil-mack-layaway-accounts-walmart-fort-pierce/

FWIW Ridley looked ‘good’ in limited play. Caught the one pass thrown to him. But I’m sure glad to know Wims wasn’t hurt too bad. He’s an important piece going forward.

As crazy as it sounds, the Bears match up closer to the 49ers in style of play. I wouldn’t say their execution is the same, just style. Both have similar offenses and execute their defenses similarly; although SF runs a ‘wide 9’ style defense (a derivative of a 4-3). In this case their talent level matches up more than structure. We saw what SF did to the Packers a few weeks ago. There’s no reason if they Bears play like they did against Dallas they couldn’t win again.

Thing is when do they have to decide on his 5th year option?

It’s a valid question. Was watching that post game show I like with Briggs, Brown, Forte and Kreutz. Briggs pointes out that we need to see continued play like last night from here on out to make a better determination. I think many of us are traumatically skeptical (I know I am) after all the years with Jay ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Cutler and quite frankly similar play from Trubisky. We see he’s capable; it’s just that can he maintain it? We’ll know better after next week...and the week after...and the week after that.

I haven’t seen the game in its entirety yet but have seen some highlights; and man they need to get Patterson more involved in the offense. Dudes a plain out baller. And how about TEs Holtz and Horstead? Amazing how well the second and third stringers are playing with them, Tolliver, Kwit, and KPL all playing like first stringers last night.

In related news I see Amukamua is doubtful with a hammy injury. So Tolliver is next man up it would appear. Also see Kyle Vanderesch (sp) is out for Dallas...that’s one less good LB on their team for our team to worry about. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/injury-update-amukamara-doubtful-with-hamstring

Something I heard on LeBetard and Stugotz yesterday was that since week 4 of this season, both Tom Brady and Trubisky have similar stats. “How ‘bout that? “.

Or not...as the case may be. But yeah I’m with you guys. He seems like a good kicker overall and agree that the injury seems to have affected him more than I think we know. For what it’s worth, the backup to Gould in SF looks pretty solid. So maybe Robbie will available again next off-season if needed?

THIS. I see the FS (Jackson or HHCD???) cheating over to Amukamura's side to help with coverage. And Skrine covering the front end of that gap when they don't have multiple receivers lined up. My biggest concern, besides Trubisky reverting to his bad habits, are the front 3-4. Without Hicks in there they will probably collapse on the line to allow second level blocking (while double and triple teaming wherever Mack is with a TE). Smith will have to have his head on a swivel and probably spy Prescott as his primary read. Zak can be mobile but don't think he really has shown that as much the last year or so. Kwit's primary concern will be Elliott and wherever he goes then (along with Smith) be on the lookout for a TE or Z receiver crossing over the middle.

Yes so no ‘talking heads’ trying to give you expert analysis and make big money doing it. Just a couple of former players weighing in on the team they used to ply for. Good perspective IMHO as they’ve ‘been there done that’ and probably have a strong interest in seeing the team succeed.